[ohporto2020]

A few hours sleep before heading back to Lviv

[ohporto2020]

Yesterday I crossed the border on foot at Medyka. I met a mother and son on the Ukraine side and walked back (queued) from the shanty border town in Ukraine, across no man’s land to Polish border control to the Polish shanty town. 10zloty to the guardian of the car park and away.

We meet our evacuees on the Ukrainian side as the chaos surrounding border control can be a little intimidating.

I included the photo of the van as I used to listen to Deacon Blues singing about a road sweeper saving his money for a boat to sail up the west coast, in a ship named dignity.

A father in front of us with three children was turned back as his documents showed no link to the children.

Ukrainian men over 65 are not allowed to leave unless they have three children. I have heard that people smugglers are operating in the vicinity.

[ohporto2020]

Heart surgery – CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft

It is just more than a year since my quintuple bypass, in which one graft failed, and I had a stroke in surgery. 

Alone with angina at three in the morning I took nitroglycerin, then an Uber to Hospital de São João, Porto. Following surgery, on gaining consciousness, the first thought in my head was that I must do the Camino Santiago de Compestela. 

On the day of my anniversary I started the drive out to Lviv, Ukraine with, Maidenhead for Ukraine, a charity set up by a UK cardiologist. We delivered medical equipment for a cardiology unit in Kviv.

In Lviv, I had vegetarian borscht with a Ukrainian cardiologist that I had met on the last day of my Camino Santiago de Compestela. We averaged 800 km a day for the 5 days round trip. Before this trip, It took me a long time to get my driving confidence back. I didn’t know how I would fare on this journey, but I was fine.

In the last year, my walking average is more than 8 km a day. I plan another Camino this year. I can recommend it, it's a beautiful experience.

[ohporto2020]

Bought this while looking for, 'The Salt Path' by the same author. Taking me longer to read than it should, as it is sad sometimes.

[ohporto2020]

Eurostar to Amsterdam and ICE to Bremen today. Provided I have all the necessary documentation. Check: negative covid test, vaccination certificates, Bremen passenger locator form, Portugese EU residence certificate, Invitation from Bremen University. What have I forgotten?

[ohporto2020]

Panning my next caminho after walking from Porto to Santiago de Compestela. What a joyful experience meeting so many lovely people.

[ohporto2020]

Heart bypass – CABG Recuperation day 94

My continuing journey of recovery from heart bypass surgery. 1

Thirteen weeks marks the end of ten days quarantine in the UK. Yesterday I had my second vaccination at a walk-in facility. My first was AstraZeneca and the second Pfizer Biontech. I enjoyed the freedom from quarantine and walked 12k yesterday.

I’m feeling healthy and ran a little yesterday without getting breathless. I had been worried and too upset to tell anyone that one of my grafts failed during surgery. The day I left hospital the surgeon told me I’d had a small stroke during the operation. I worried what the implications were and the likelihood of other grafts failing. Any research online made me more worried. The surgeon told me all four chambers of the heart were working well and I shouldn’t feel any negative effects from the failed graft.

Apart from hereditary factors I wonder what life style factors contributed to my atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis). Through out my life I have not been a big meat eater. Now I’m more or less vegan. I do not eat any processed food.

I don’t know the answers.

Finally, my leg has healed after thirteen weeks.

Coronary artery bypass graft [return]

[ohporto2020]

Heart bypass – CABG Recuperation day 87

My continuing journey of recovery from heart bypass surgery. 1

Just over twelve weeks have passed since my surgery. Last week I drove from Porto to Santander, and caught the ferry to Portsmouth. I arrived early and stayed in Sardinero.

My early arrival allowed me to visit Integral labs in Santander, and have an antigen test at €40. Only requirements are to turn up with passport, and within thirty minutes test done and results printed.

Brittany Ferries check; passport, Covid-19 test, Passenger locator form. I travelled on the Chinese built Galacia which is internally fitted to a very high standard. The thirty hour crossing is broken by free dinner on Saturday night, and free breakfast on Sunday morning.

I booked the day two, and day eight PCR tests with Abicare Health Solutions at £128.

Now, I am languishing at home, seeing out my ten day of quarantine.

Coronary artery bypass graft [return]

[ohporto2020]

Heart bypass – CABG Recuperation day 62

Heart bypass – a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

Nine weeks, tomorrow, since my surgery. I had the first check up at the hospital today. Good progress being made and more rigorous testing booked for September.

The leg wound should have healed by now and I have this vacuum creating gizmo on my leg to speed the process.

Time really heals and I’ve noticed significant improvements. I can sleep comfortably on both left, and right sides. Coughing, and sneezing is not excruciatingly painful. I can breathe deeply and clench stomach muscles. All of which hurt earlier in my recuperation.

I’m walking in Porto, and Porto has incredibly steep hills. In the last week I’ve averaged 7.3km a day.

[ohporto2020]

Heart bypass – CABG Recuperation day 62

Heart bypass – a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

Nine weeks, tomorrow, since my surgery. I had the first check up at the hospital today. Good progress being made and more rigorous testing booked for September.

The leg wound should have healed by now and I have this vacuum creating gizmo on my leg to speed the process.

[ohporto2020]

Heart bypass – CABG Recuperation day 55

Heart bypass – a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

I’ve walked and slept my way through May. I weigh 10kg less than before my heart bypass. I’m fearful of food and only eat home made vegetable soup, salads and tofu. I’ve given up coffee and wine doesn’t taste like it used to. I’d say I’m > 90% vegan.

After nearly eight weeks my leg is beginning to heal. I’ve had some distracting aches and pains that I haven’t felt like sharing. Everything seems OK now and I’m seeing the cardiologist for a checkup next Monday.

My Humanitarian Action assignments are nearly all completed. I’ve had some interesting assignments on the European Union refugee plan, Fair Trade ethics, and International Humanitarian Law.

My son started his first full time job in London on his 23rd birthday. He sent me this photo. I haven’t seen him for nearly a year, although we chat frequently online.

To comply with the time limit constraints that my car insurance allowed me to be in the EU, I took my car off the road in February and cancelled the insurance. I received a £50 fine today from UK Government for not having a Statutory off Road Notice (SORN).

I was insured with LV who limit EU insurance to six months. I have reinsured with Saga who offer full year EU cover.

[ohporto2020]

CABG Recuperation day 39

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

I haven’t posted lately as I am frustrated with the pace of my healing. I still have to visit the health centre twice a week for my leg wound. Half the scar has healed cleanly but the remainder languishes behind the bandage.

Right now I’m working on an essay about the EU, refugees, Frontex, Border Control and the UK Home Office. However I allowed myself to be distracted by these sailing boats and I am looking forward to being out on the sea.

[ohporto2020]

CABG Recuperation day 30

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

Another visit to the health centre. I’m on first name terms with the security guard, receptionist and nurse now. The dressing is getting smaller and the fibrin reduced in size on my leg wound. The wound looks worse than it is because of the scab and should heal cleanly. The saphenous vein was used in the graft.

For the last few nights I have been able to lay on my left and right side – previously it was too painful – it shows I am recovering.

I wonder if my sternum is wired with titanium? I dared not find out about open heart surgery before my operation. That was the right choice for me. Some of the photos I have seen since, haunt me.

[ohporto2020]

CABG Recuperation day 28

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

I walked just shy of 10k yesterday. My walking speed has increased and my breathlessness improved. I visit the health centre twice a week for a new dressing on my leg. The nurse told me there was fibrina in the wound. Google translate told me that this translates to fibrin.

More research required. Fibrin is a fibrous protein that together with platelets forms a clot over a wound site. No problem – part of the healing process.

I went by metro to Estádio do Dragão and walked to the vaccination centre. I have Adante card which for €40 euros a month allows me to travel freely on buses and metro.

A pot of tea, less than 1 euro, half the price of tea in Matosinhos killed a little time before my appointment.

At the vaccination centre the organisation was perfect. The staff were friendly, and helpful. The injection; Astra Zeneca, painless and no symptoms overnight.

[ohporto2020]

CABG Recuperation day 24

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

I’m back in my feet! Trying not to push myself too hard. I’m cheating a bit - Porto is really hilly - I’m using the Metro or Uber to get to the health centre or campus and walking downhill as much as possible.

One more visit to the health centre for my leg wound.

[ohporto2020]

CABG Recuperation day 23

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) x5

Walking – slowly – up to 8k a day. Walk too fast and I get breathless. No pain, except sneezing which is kinda ouchhhie.

Visiting the health centre later today for a new dressing on my leg wound. I had the staples out on Monday.

Back to study, and had an exam on Monday about the work of the priest Raimon Panikkar. Panikkar held three doctorates: chemistry, theology and philosophy. He was born to a Hindu father and Catholic mother. He embraced Catholicism, Hinduism and Buddhism while remaining a Christian through his life.

I watched this Ted Talk. It is pretty inspiring so I wanted to share.

[ohporto2020]

Raimon Panikkar

I’m enjoying reading the perspective of Raimon Panikkar

‘Religion is not an experiment, it is an experience of life through which one is part of the cosmic adventure.’ Raimon Panikkar

https://www.raimon-panikkar.org/